In-situ water analysis method and system

ABSTRACT

An automatic system for monitoring chemistry information for a body of water comprises a sensor for determining chemistry information, a microprocessor for processing chemistry information, and a housing coupled to at least one of the sensor and the microprocessor. Preferably the housing is floatable or mountable. The method of providing chemistry information of a body of water comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of the body of water and determining chemistry information.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of water analysis.More specifically, the present invention relates to the field ofautomated water chemistry analysis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For owners of recreational aquatic facilities, such as pools, spas, andhot tubs, water chemistry must be properly maintained to deflect thehazards associated with water not properly balanced. If the chemistry ofa pool is even slightly off, for instance, a serious health hazard canbe posed to users. Also, water that is not properly balanced can resultin a quick deterioration of an aquatic facility, resulting in expensiverehabilitation costs.

Presently, water chemistry can be checked by chemistry kits, laboratoryruns, and maintenance service calls. Although chemistry kits aretypically less expensive than maintenance service calls, most chemistrykits are messy, complicated, and are not user-friendly. Even if oneknows how to properly use a chemistry kit, that individual may beuncertain of the results, thereby necessitating a double check of thewater chemistry through a laboratory run such as to a swimming poolsupply store.

A laboratory run requires the taking of a sample of water for achemistry laboratory to analyze. Traveling to and from a laboratory withthe sample during normal business hours is inconvenient. Further theresult is obtained after a significant lag time has elapsed. Moreover,the analysis of water chemistry and an evaluation of the amount ofadditives to remedy any perceived imbalance is a function of watertemperature. It is almost certain that the temperature of the samplewill change in transit to the laboratory. Furthermore, once the resultsare received from a laboratory, water chemistry may have changed and asa consequence, one may be relying on an inaccurate water chemistryreading. For those who use chemistry kits and laboratory runs, bothoptions also do not address the problem of physically adding chemicalsto the water, which equate to an added inconvenience of releasing messychemicals, without much assurance that the correct amount of chemicalsare being released at the proper time. Overall, chemistry kits,laboratory runs, and adding chemicals on a do-it-yourself basis can beinaccurate, labor-intensive and time-consuming.

In contrast, maintenance service calls are expensive and inconvenient.Although service calls are typically conducted at regular intervals,sometimes maintenance service personnel are unavailable when theirservices are most needed, such as after a rain storm or before a poolparty. Also, some maintenance service personnel are unreliable and/orcareless in their methodology, forcing one to double check waterchemistry by using a chemistry kit or a laboratory run. Finally, suchservice calls can be conducted by a variety of maintenance personnel,thereby increasing the likelihood of human error in monitoring andbalancing water chemistry.

What is needed is a safe, convenient, user-friendly automated system formonitoring water chemistry.

What is needed is an efficient, time-sensitive automated system for bothmonitoring water chemistry and adding necessary chemicals to balance thewater.

What is needed is a reliable automated method for monitoring waterchemistry.

What is needed is a secure, dependable automated method for bothmonitoring water chemistry and adding appropriate chemicals to maintainthe balance of a body of water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method and system for monitoring waterchemistry and appropriately metering chemicals to balance water. Themethod and system are user-friendly and automated, thereby alleviatingconcerns about safety, accuracy, and timeliness of the chemistryreading. The method and system can be utilized for a body of water,including but not limited to, a spa, a pool, a hot tub, a whirlpool tub,and the like.

One aspect of the present invention includes an automatic system formonitoring chemistry information for a body of water. The systemcomprises a sensor for determining chemistry information, a controlcircuit coupled to the sensor for processing chemistry information, anda housing coupled to one of the sensor and the control circuit.Preferably, the housing of the automatic system is floatable.Alternatively the housing is mountable.

Another aspect of the present invention includes an automatic system formonitoring chemistry information for a body of water and introducingchemicals into the body of water. The system comprises a pump system forcollecting a sample of the body of water, a sensor coupled to the pumpsystem for determining chemistry information based on the sample, and acontrol circuit coupled to the sensor for processing chemistryinformation. The control circuit further comprises an instruction whichinstructs the control circuit to compare a programmable threshold ofchemistry information to chemistry information sensed from the sample.The system further comprises a chemical storage unit coupled to the pumpsystem and the control circuit configured to release a chemical into thebody of water upon command, a safety element coupled to the controlcircuit or the sensor and configured to indicate when water is unsafe orout of the desired range of specification, and a housing coupled to oneof the pump system, the sensor, the control circuit, the chemicalstorage unit, and the safety element. The control circuit provides oneor more signals to the safety element to alert when the water is unsafeonce the programmable threshold is met. Preferably, the housing of theautomatic system is floatable. Alternatively, the housing is mountable.

A further aspect of the present invention includes a mountable automaticsystem for monitoring chemistry information of a body of water having acover and introducing chemicals into the body of water. The systemcomprises a pump system for collecting a sample of the body of water. Asensor is coupled to the pump system for determining chemistryinformation of the sample. A control circuit is coupled to the sensorfor processing chemistry information. A chemical storage unit is coupledto the pump system and the control circuit and is configured to releasea chemical into the body of water upon command. An antenna is coupled toat least one of the control circuit and the sensor. A mountable housingis coupled to at least one of the pump system, the sensor, the controlcircuit, the chemical storage unit, and the antenna. The antenna extendsfrom the system. The control circuit further comprises a program whichinstructs the control circuit to compare a programmable threshold ofchemistry information to chemistry information sensed from the sample.The control circuit transmits one or more signals via the antenna toalert a remote location when the body of water is either unsafe or failsto meet predetermined requirements once the programmable threshold hasbeen met. Preferably, the body of water is a swimming pool.Alternatively, the body of water can be one of a hot tub and a spa.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method ofautomatically monitoring chemistry information of a body of water. Themethod comprises the steps of determining chemistry information based ona sample obtained from the body of water and processing chemistryinformation.

A further aspect of the present invention includes an automatic systemfor monitoring chemistry information of a body of water. The systemcomprises means for determining chemistry information based on a sampleobtained from the body of water and means for processing chemistryinformation.

Another aspect of the present invention includes an automatic sensor forproviding chemistry information of a body of water. The sensor isconfigured to couple to a retrieval element and a housing.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method ofproviding chemistry information of a body of water. The method comprisesthe steps of obtaining a sample of the body of water and determiningchemistry information.

Another aspect of the present invention includes an automatic system formonitoring chemistry information for hot tub water. The automatic systemcomprises a retrieval element for obtaining a sample from hot tub water,a sensor coupled to the retrieval element for determining chemistryinformation, a display coupled to the sensor for displaying chemistryinformation, and a housing coupled to one of the retrieval element, thesensor, and the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention for a floatable automatic system for monitoring chemistryinformation for a body of water.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a further embodiment of the presentinvention, with the floatable automatic system of FIG. 1 havingadditional optional features.

FIG. 3A is a schematic drawing of a conventional pool, hot tub or spa,including a skimmer, a filter, a heater and a pump.

FIG. 3B is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the presentinvention, with a chemical delivery system for a pool, hot tub or spa.

FIGS. 3C and 3D are schematic drawings of two embodiments for a manifoldto add chemicals to a pool, hot tub or spa.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the chemistry display panel of thesystem of FIG. 2, with a LCD display unit and a plurality of lightindicators.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of the chemistry display panel of thesystem of FIG. 2, with a LCD display unit and a button panel.

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of the chemistry display panel of thesystem of FIG. 2 with a panel cover in a closed position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the floatable automatic system of FIG.1, with an optional actuator.

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a mountable automaticsystem with a mountable housing.

FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment of themountable automatic system of FIG. 8, with optional features.

FIG. 10A is a flow chart of the steps of a preferred method ofautomatically monitoring chemistry information of a body of water.

FIG. 10B is a flow chart of an alternative embodiment for the method ofautomatically monitoring chemistry information of the body of water. Theflow chart in FIG. 10B depicts steps which represent an optional path,beginning with the last step depicted in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment of a systemfor sensing chemistry information of a body of water, including anautomatic sensor, a retrieval element, a housing, and an optional LCDdisplay unit.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting the steps of a method of providingchemistry information of a body of water.

FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of an automatic systemfor monitoring chemistry information for hot tub water.

FIG. 14 is a schematic drawing showing embodiments of the invention inuse in a networked system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

In the past, it has been difficult to obtain accurate and timelychemistry readings of bodies of water. In particular, bodies of water,such as pools, spas, and hot tubs, have been at risk of calcium depositsand eroding surfaces due to water being “out of balance”. Keeping waterin balance oftentimes requires some knowledge about water chemistry,which many people lack. Also, maintaining the proper water balancerequires some labor typically, including testing the water and makingadditions of chemicals and proper water treatments. If water is out ofbalance, it could result in staining, calcium deposits on the surface ortile, and eroding surfaces due to leeching of calcium carbonate. Also,if the water is too acidic, it may damage or even completely destroywater equipment, such as the water heating element.

The present invention solves all of these problems in a simple,user-friendly method and system to monitor water chemistry and to addproper chemicals, based on current chemistry and temperature informationof the body of water. Although preferably the present invention is usedfor recreational aquatic facilities, such as pools, spas, and hot tubs,the present invention is also intended to be used for other bodies ofwater, including but not limited to, a bath, a fountain, a whirlpoolbath, and the like. The present invention further allows for chemistryinformation to be ascertained from a body of water at any given moment,regardless of weather conditions, the number of people in the water, andthe time of day. The chemistry information can even be monitored whilepeople are present in the water. Furthermore, the present invention addsthe benefits of safety and convenience. It frees one from havinguncertainty over the accuracy of chemistry information for the body ofwater. The present invention allows for continuous or repeatedmonitoring of chemistry information. Also, the present inventioneliminates the necessity of having to double-check chemistry informationreadings because its automatic capabilities lessen the possibility ofhuman error. Thus, the invention does not require for individuals to usechemistry kits, rely on unreliable maintenance personnel, or waste timemaking laboratory runs. Instead, the present invention is anall-inclusive automatic package that addresses virtually all theproblems associated with the monitoring and maintenance of waterbalance, with none of the hassles and problems of chemistry kits, fixedmaintenance calls, and laboratory runs. Moreover, because the analysistakes place in site, the actual temperature of the water is alsoproperly determined and taken into account.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present inventionincludes an automatic system 100 for monitoring chemistry information ofa body of water 110. The system 100 comprises three elements, namely asensor 120, a control circuit 140, and a housing 160. Preferably, thehousing 160 is a floatable housing, thus making the system a floatableautomatic system 100, as shown in FIG. 1. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the housing 160 can be of any shape, size, andcolor tailored to the environment surrounding the system 100. The sensor120 determines chemistry information for the body of water 110. It willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art that the type and actualnumber of sensors within a particular automatic system 100 depends uponthe application of the present invention. Furthermore, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the housing 160 can be amountable housing, rather than a floatable housing. This particularalternative embodiment encompassing a system with a mountable housingwill be specifically described later. The sensor 120 is coupled to thehousing 160 such that the sensor 120 is in operative communication withthe body of water 110. For example, the sensor 120 can be mountedexternal to the housing 160. More preferably, the housing 160 includesan aperture (not shown) containing the sensor 120 wherein a portion ofthe body of water 110 can freely enter and exit the aperture.

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that thecontrol circuit 140 can comprise a power supply, buffer circuit toconvert signals generated by the sensor 120 to levels suitable for thecontrol circuit 140 in programmable memory to store programs, anddynamic memory to hold sensed chemistry information and receive/transmitcircuits to communicate information. A microprocessor, CPU,microcontroller or specially designed processor including an ASIC, PLA,PAL, PSA among other digital circuits can be coupled to function andcontrol the control circuit 140.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the control circuit 140 is coupled to thesensor 120, with the control circuit 140 configured to processelectronic signals generated by the sensor 120 in response to sensedchemistry information for the body of water 110. The housing 160 iscoupled to at least one of the sensor 120 and the control circuit 140.As shown in FIG. 1, for the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the system 100 is configured to remain afloat in the body ofwater 110 for long periods of time without human supervision. Thecontrol circuit 140 further compares chemistry information for the bodyof water 110, which was determined by the sensor 120, to a programmablethreshold. The programmable threshold represents an acceptable value ofchemistry information for the body of water 110. Preferably, theprogrammable threshold can be a minimum or a maximum value of chemistryinformation for the body of water 110. Furthermore, the programmablethreshold can be adjusted and the system 100 can provide suggestedthresholds based on parameters of the body of water 110. Thus, thesystem 100 can give suggested thresholds after it is programmed with thedimensions, volume, and type of body of water 110 being monitored by thesystem 100. Also, the programmable threshold is useful given that whenthe threshold is met, the system 100 can alert that the threshold hasbeen reached and an action must be performed. For instance, the system100 can alert that the body of water 110 contains too much chlorine orthe water pH level is dangerously acidic. Hence, the system 100 candetect if the programmable threshold has been met and the system 100 canindicate when the body of water 110 is off balance and/or unsafe.

Chemistry information monitored by the floatable system 100 can be atleast one of alkalinity, pH level, temperature, calcium hardness, totalhardness, dissolved solids, a sanitizer (including, but not limited to,chlorine and bromine) of the body of water 110 and a combination of atleast two thereof. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that chemistry information is not limited to the list notedabove and can include chemistry information about any component for thebody of water 110. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, thefloatable system 100 can monitor more than one chemical component forthe body of water 110 at a time. Preferably, the floatable system 100 isconfigured to monitor chemistry information for the body of water 110continually while the floatable system 100 is powered on. Preferably,the body of water 110 is at least one of a spa, a pool, a hot tub, abath, a fountain, and a whirlpool bath. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that the present invention can also be utilized tomonitor chemistry information for any body of liquid. While it ispossible to include chemical reservoirs and chemical delivery systems inan automatic system that floats, generally the volume of chemicalsneeded for maintaining balance in a pool, hot tub or spa aresufficiently large that storing such chemicals in a floating device candiminish or interfere with enjoyment of the pool, hot tub or spa.

A conventional pool, hot tub or spa 300 such as schematically shown inFIG. 3A generally includes a skimmer 302 to collect leaves and otherdebris in the usual manner. A pump 304 draws water through piping 308from the skimmer 302 and delivers it to a filter 306. Owing to thepressure of the pump 304, the water passes through the filter 306 andthen through an optional heater 310. The heater 310 shown in FIG. 3Aheats the water using a coil 312 powered by an alternating currentsource 314 such as from the electric power grid. Other heating means arealso well known and include solar collectors and natural gas flameheaters. The water is returned to the pool, hot tub or spa 300 underpressure from the pump 304. The precise sequence of the elements shownin FIG. 3A can be altered.

FIG. 3B shows the present invention in conjunction with a chemicaldelivery system to maintain or restore chemical balance to the pool, hottub or spa. A valve 320 is coupled into the pipe 308. Preferably, thevalve 320 is coupled into the return portion of the pipe 308, but can beincluded at any position. A chemical to be added is stored in a supplyvessel 322. A chemical addition control circuit 324 receives a controlsignal from the control circuit 140 (FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). Upon receipt ofthe control signal, the valve 320 opens to allow an amount of chemicalin the supply vessel 322 to enter the pipe 308. In certaincircumstances, the flow of water through the pipe 308 can be sufficientto draw the chemical from the supply vessel 322 into the pipe 308.Alternatively, the storage vessel 322 can be positioned higher than thepipe 308 to utilize pressure from gravity to induce the chemical to flowfrom the storage vessel 322 into the pipe 308. If additional pressure isneeded, an optional pump 326 can be inserted between the valve 320 andthe storage vessel 322 to induce addition of the chemical into the pipe308. The optional pump 326 also operates under control of the chemicaladdition control circuit 324. If more than one chemical needs to beadded, a manifold 170/170′ such as shown in FIGS. 3C or 3D can be usedfor each chemical. Each chemical would have its own storage vessel 322and valve 320 to feed a unique input to the manifold 170/170′.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention, withthe floatable automatic system 100 of FIG. 1 having optional features.As used throughout this document, similar numbered components havesimilar functions. FIG. 2 illustrates the floatable automatic system100′ having the sensor 120, the control circuit 140, and the floatablehousing 160. The system 100′ further comprises a timer 190 coupled to atleast one of the sensor 120, the control circuit 140, and the housing160. Preferably, the timer 190 is configured to provide a time stamp tothe sensor 120 while the sensor 120 determines chemistry information forthe body of water 110. Preferably, the time stamp and chemistryinformation are coupled as inputs to the control circuit 140. The timestamp and chemistry information can be coupled to the control circuit140. Therefore, the floatable automatic system 100′ can providechemistry information for the body of water 110, with time stamps. Thecontrol circuit 140 further comprises an instruction 146 configured toinstruct the control circuit 140 how to process chemistry information.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the floatable system 100′ further comprises amemory 130 configured for storing chemistry information and coupled toat least one of the sensor 120, the control circuit 140, and the housing160. Preferably, the memory 130 is an EPROM, PROM, ROM or Flash memorychip. It will be apparent that the memory 130 and the instruction 146can be integrally formed in a single integrated circuit. As shown inFIG. 2, in one embodiment of the invention, the system 100′ furthercomprises a optional chemistry display panel 200 coupled to the sensor120. In this case, the sensor 120 is configured to communicate chemistryinformation to the chemistry display panel 200. The chemistryinformation can be displayed continuously and immediately as available.Alternatively, the chemistry information can be displayed atpredetermined intervals. It will be apparent that the predeterminedintervals can be fixed or programmable.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the chemistry displaypanel 200 further comprises an indicator 210. The indicator 210 isconfigured to indicate a status of the body of water 110 based onchemistry information processed by the control circuit 120 (FIGS. 1 and2). Referring back to FIG. 4, the indicator 210 is preferably a lightindicator. Preferably, the chemistry display panel 200 comprises aplurality of light indicators 220, which include a green lightindicator, a yellow light indicator, and a red light indicator.Preferably, the color of a light indicator represents the status for thebody of water 110 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The green light indicator indicates asafe status, the yellow light indicator indicates a cautionary status,and the red light indicator indicates an unsafe and/or unbalancedstatus. The safe status for the body of water 110 means that the body ofwater 110 is balanced and safe to swim. It will be apparent that twothresholds are used to establish the cautionary status and the unsafestatus indications. The cautionary status for the body of water 110means that the chemistry information of the body of water 110 is past afirst programmable threshold. The unsafe status for the body of water110 means that a second programmable threshold is met. Preferably, theunsafe status means the body of water 110 is out of balance and unsafeto enter. Preferably, the unsafe status also indicates that a responsiveaction is desired to balance the body of water 110, so that the body ofwater 110 is safe for the intended purpose. The plurality of lightindicators 220 is advantageous in its simplicity and clarity inproviding an accurate current status of the body of water 110 (FIGS. 1and 2).

In another alternative embodiment, the indicator 210 (FIG. 4) is anaudible indicator. The audible indicator is configured to indicate astatus for the body of water 110. As described previously, preferably,the status for the body of water 110 is one of three statuses, namelythe safe status, the cautionary status, and the unsafe status. Theaudible indicator is one of a siren, a beeper, a whistle, a horn, aclicker, and a tonal unit. Preferably, the audible indicator has a textto speech capability, similar to computer-generated speech, so that anindividual can listen to the status for the body of water 110, ratherthan having to look at the chemical display panel 200 (FIGS. 2 and 4).It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the indicator210 (FIG. 4) can take on many different shapes and forms, singly or in avariety of combinations. For instance, the indicator 210 can be both alight indicator and an audible indicator.

Turning to FIG. 5, in yet another embodiment of the present invention,the chemistry display panel 200′ further comprises a LCD display unit230 and an optional button panel 240. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that the button panel 240 can include one or morebuttons in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and forms, and that the buttonpanel 240 of FIG. 5 is for illustrative purposes only. The button panel240 comprises of eight buttons in total, namely a Monitor button 250, aSelect Remote Location button 270, a Graph button 280, an Auto Addbutton 290, a Timer Feature button 300, a Program button 310, a Submergebutton 320, and a Power On/Off button 330.

When the Monitor button 250 is pressed, the system 100′ (FIG. 2) willbegin monitoring the body of water 110 (FIG. 2). The Select RemoteLocation button 270 selects a remote location to which the chemistryinformation will be sent. The remote location is preferably a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a custom sign, a computer, a satellite, awireless device, a phone, a USB port, a pager, or a device configured toadd chemicals to the body of water 110 (FIG. 2). However, it will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the remote location can beany location, including locations on land and at sea, to which chemistryinformation will be sent. Preferably, the sensor 120 (FIGS. 1 and 2) isconfigured to communicate chemistry information of the body of water 110(FIGS. 1 and 2) to the remote location. The sensor 120 (FIGS. 1 and 2)is further configured to communicate chemistry information to the remotelocation through at least one of a wireless connection, a cellularconnection, a wired connection, an optical connection, an infraredconnection, and a custom radio interface connection.

Still referring to the button panel 240 of FIG. 5, when the Graph button280 is pressed, a graphing feature of the system 100′ (FIG. 2) isactivated. Preferably, the LCD display unit 230 will provide a graphwith Cartesian coordinates having at least an x-axis and a y-axis. Basedon the time stamp provided by the timer 190 (FIG. 2) and chemistryinformation processed by the control circuit 140 (FIG. 2), the system100′ can provide a graph to be displayed by the LCD display unit 230,the graph having its x-axis labeled “Time” and its y-axis labeled“Chemical Content.” The graph can thus show the levels of a particularchemical component of the body of water 110 (FIG. 2) at different timeintervals. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thegraph can take on many forms, shapes, and sizes, including but notlimited to a pie graph, a bar graph, a line graph, and the like.Furthermore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that inthe preferred embodiment, the system 100′ can monitor more than onechemical component for the body of water 110 and therefore the system100′ can display more than one graph at a time. Preferably, the LCDdisplay unit 230 displays a plurality of line graphs, each linerepresenting a chemical component for the body of water 110. Forinstance, one graph each can track the chlorine, bromine, and the pHlevel content of the body of water 110 all in one time. It will befurther appreciated by those skilled in the art that the system 100′ canmonitor chemistry information for the body of water 110 continually orat different intervals.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the Auto Add button 290 is configured suchthat when it is pressed, the system 100′ (FIG. 2) automatically providesa signal to add a particular chemical into the body of water 110 uponcommand. This automatic feature will be discussed at greater lengthlater in this document. The Timer Feature button 300 activates the timer190 (FIG. 2). The Program button 310 allows for the system 100′ to beprogrammed with a variety of functions and commands. For instance, theProgram button 310 can set the programmable threshold of chemistryinformation for the body of water 110 as previously discussed. TheProgram button 310 can further program the system 100′ (FIG. 2) toobtain a sample from the body of water 110 at specific time intervalsand at specific locations. The Submerge button 320 enables the system100′ to sink to a specified programmable water depth. Finally, the PowerOn/Off button 330 when pressed can turn on or shut off a power supply(not shown) to the system 100′. It will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that the power supply to the system 100′ can be of any powersource, including but not limited to a battery, a solar cell, or a lowvoltage power source.

Turning now to FIG. 6, in another embodiment, the chemistry displaypanel 200 further comprises a display panel cover 400 configured toprotect the chemistry display panel 200. The display panel cover 400 isconfigured to protect the chemistry display panel 200 from ultravioletradiation, weather elements, insects, animals, water, and the like. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the display panelcover 400 can be made of any protective material, including but notlimited to plastic and metal. The display panel cover 400 can also be ofany color or texture. Preferably, the display panel cover 400 iswaterproof and clear, so that the chemistry display panel 200 can beeasily viewed without moving the display panel cover 400 from a closedposition, as shown in FIG. 6.

One of the benefits stemming from the automatic feature of the system100/100′ is that the system 100/100′ (FIGS. 1 and 2) can provideup-to-date chemistry information for the body of water 110 withoutsupervision. For instance, in a health spa, the number of people usingthe spa can fluctuate dramatically from hour to hour. If many peopleenter into the health spa at one given hour (such as lunch hour), thenthe chemistry of the spa is apt to change, and sometimes it changesdrastically such that the spa becomes unsafe to enter. If the system100/100′ is programmed with one or more programmable thresholds tomonitor chemistry information of the spa, then the system 100/100′ canalert a spa employee when the spa is past the cautionary threshold andapproaching the unsafe threshold. The system 100/100′ can also indicateto the spa employee when a chemical needs to be released to balance thewater in the spa. In certain embodiments, the system 100/100′ canindicate to the spa employee which chemical(s) and how much of thechemical(s) must be added.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the floatableautomatic system 100/100′ (FIGS. 1 and 2) is configured to sink or floatto at least one predetermined water depth measured from the surface ofthe body of water 110. Thus, the floatable automatic system 100/100′ isconfigured to submerge in the body of water 110 so that chemistryinformation for the body of water 110 can be monitored at differentwater depths. Ideally, the floatable automatic system 100/100′ providesthe water depth, chemical information (via the sensor 120 (FIG. 2)) andexact time of the sampling (via the timer 180 (FIG. 2)). Thiscompilation of information can then be sent to the remote locationthrough a connection as described previously. The Submerge button 320(FIG. 5) and the Program button 310 are preferably used to accomplishthese tasks.

Turning to FIG. 7, in an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the floatable system 100″ further comprises an actuator 500to relocate the system 100″ to at least one predetermined geographiclocation of the body of water 110. As throughout this document, likenumbered components have like functions. It will be appreciated by thethose skilled in the art that the actuator 500 can be in a number offorms, shapes, and sizes. For instance, the actuator 500 can be amotorized propeller or can be a burst of water jet stream. FIG. 7 showsa motorized propeller for the actuator 500 for illustrative purposesonly. In yet another embodiment, the floatable automatic system 100(FIG. 1) is configured to be tethered.

Turning to FIG. 8, in an alternative embodiment, the automatic system600 is a mountable automatic system, having a mountable housing 150. Itwill be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that theautomatic system can be mounted to an edge or wall of a pool, hot tub orspa or can be integrally formed within a wall. Likewise, the automaticsystem 600 can be mounted to the circulation pump and filter system ofthe pool, hot tub or spa or within the skimmer enclosure. FIGS. 8 and 9are drawings of the mountable automatic system 600/600′. FIG. 8 is thepreferred embodiment of the mountable automatic system 600. FIG. 9 is analternative embodiment of the mountable automatic system 600′ withoptional features. As throughout this document, like numbered componentshave like functions.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mountable housing 150 comprises of abracket 155 for mounting to a wall or edge of the pool, hot tub or spa.Preferably, the mountable housing 150 is mounted within the skimmer 302(FIGS. 3A and 3B) to avoid interfering with enjoyment of the pool, hottub or spa. However, such a mountable housing 150 could comprise insteadof a cup-like suction or a velcro attachment configured to mount to thestructure containing the body of water 110. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the mountable housing 150 can beconfigured to attach to any surface, edge, or physical feature of thebody of water 110, including but not limited to a bottom surface of thebody of water 110.

Now referring to FIG. 10A, the present invention includes a method ofautomatically monitoring chemistry information of a body of water 1000.The method 1000 comprises two steps. The first step is the step ofdetermining chemistry information based on a sample obtained from thebody of water 1010. The second step is the step of processing chemistryinformation 1020. In another embodiment of the invention, the method1000 further comprises two additional steps, namely, the step of storinga programmable threshold of chemistry information 1030 and the step ofcomparing chemistry information to the programmable threshold 1040. Inan alternative embodiment, the method 1000 further comprises the step ofstoring chemistry information of the sample 1050. At the step 1050, themethod 1000 can stop at a step 1055A.

Alternatively, in FIG. 10B, the method 1000 can continue with furtheroptional steps beginning with the step 1055A from FIG. 10A. In FIG. 10B,the method 1000 further comprises the step of relocating to apredetermined location in the body of water 1060. The method 1000further comprises the step of sinking to a predetermined water depthmeasured from a surface of the body of water 1070. Alternatively, themethod 1000 further comprises the step of floating to a predeterminedwater depth measured from a surface of the body of water 1070′ . Analternative embodiment includes the method 1000 further comprising thestep of communicating chemistry information to a remote location 1080.

Preferably, the method 1000 further comprises the step of indicating astatus of the body of water based on processed chemistry information1090. Preferably, the method 1000 also comprises the step of programmingan instruction configured to instruct the quantity of a chemical to beadded to the body of water once a programmable threshold has been met1100. Alternatively, the method 1000 further comprises the step ofadding a chemical to the body of water based on a programmableinstruction 1110.

The present invention further includes an automatic system formonitoring chemistry information of a body of water. The systemcomprises means for determining chemistry information based on a sampleobtained from the body of water and means for processing chemistryinformation. The system can further comprise means for storing aprogrammable threshold of chemistry information and means for comparingchemistry information based on the sample to the programmable threshold.In an alternative embodiment, the system further comprises means forstoring chemistry information. Preferably, the system is configured tooperate continually while the system is powered on. Optionally, thesystem further comprises means for relocating to a predeterminedlocation of the body of water. Also, the system further comprises meansfor sinking or, alternatively, means for floating to a predeterminedwater depth measured from a surface of the body of water. The systemfurther comprises means for communicating chemistry information to aremote location, where the remote location is one of a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a custom sign, a computer, a satellite, a wirelessdevice, a phone, a USB port, a pager, and a device configured to addchemicals to the body of water. The system further comprises means forindicating a status for the body of water based on processed chemistryinformation, and optionally it further comprises means for adding achemical to the body of water based on the status of the body of water.

Now referring to FIG. 11, the present invention further includes anautomatic sensor 120 for providing chemistry information for a body ofwater 110. The sensor 120 is configured to couple to a retrieval element1200 and a housing 1210. The retrieval element 1200 is configured toretrieve a sample from the body of water 110. The sensor 120 isconfigured to couple to a microprocessor (not shown) to processchemistry information based on the sample from the body of water 110.Preferably, the sensor 120 provides chemistry information of the body ofwater 110. The housing 1210 is one of a floatable housing, a skimmablehousing, a tetherable housing, and a mountable housing. In anotherembodiment, the sensor 120 communicates chemistry information via adisplay 1220. Preferably, the display 1220 is a sensor-mounted LCDdisplay unit. In yet another embodiment, the sensor 120 communicateschemistry information to a remote location.

Now referring to FIG. 12, the present invention also includes a methodof providing chemistry information of a body of water 1300. The method1300 comprises two steps, namely, the step of obtaining a sample of thebody of water 1310 and the step of determining chemistry information1320. The method 1300 can further comprise the optional step ofcommunicating chemistry information via a display 1330. Also, the method1300 may comprise the additional step of communicating chemistryinformation to a remote location 1340.

The invention further includes an embodiment of an automatic system formonitoring chemistry information for hot tub water 1400, as shown inFIG. 13. The system 1400 comprises four elements, namely, a retrievalelement 1410, a sensor 1420, a display 1430, and a housing 1440. Theretrieval element 1410 is configured to obtain a sample from hot tubwater 1450. Preferably, the retrieval element 1410 is floatable. Thesensor 1420 is coupled to the retrieval element 1410 and is configuredfor determining chemistry information from the sample obtained from hottub water 1450. The display 1430 is coupled to the sensor 1420 and isfor displaying chemistry information. Finally, the housing 1440 iscoupled to one of the retrieval element 1410, the sensor 1420, and thedisplay 1430. In one embodiment, the housing 1440 is a floatablehousing. Alternatively, the housing 1440 is a mountable housing.Preferably, the display 1430 displays an alert if a predeterminedthreshold for chemistry information has been met. Preferably, thedisplay 1430 further displays an instruction of what chemical must beadded once the predetermined threshold for chemistry information hasbeen met.

FIG. 14 shows one example of many potential configurations of thepresent invention in use in a networked system. A system operator 800,such as a pool service company, maintains pools, hot tubs and/or spasfor a plurality of customers. At a first customer site 802, there is aswimming pool 804 with a floating system 806 such as described in detailabove. When the floating system 806 provides an indication that thewater in the pool is out of balance, the pool owner 808 uses theirtelephone 810 to notify the system operator 800. The system operator 800will dispatch a service technician to the first customer site 802.

At a second customer site 812, there is a hot tub 814 with a mountedsystem 816 such as described in detail above. The mounted system 816 canbe mounted to a wall of the hot tub 814, within a skimmer or in therecirculation system 818. A wireless communication circuit 820 iscoupled to the mounted system 816. Upon sensing an unbalanced conditionin the water of the hot tub 814, the mounted system 816 signals thewireless communication circuit 820 to transmit the unbalanced condition.The wireless communication circuit 820 can communicate via radio,cellular, infrared, Bluetooth or any other convenient protocol. Awireless receiver 822 is positioned to receive a transmission from thewireless communication circuit 820 and to transmit information regardingcondition of the hot tub 814 to the system operator 800, remotely. Thetransmission to the system operator 800 can be modem, either hard wiredor by cellular, but is preferably via the internet either using aninternal modem, or a broadband internet connection. The system operator800 will dispatch a service technician to the second customer site 812.

At a third customer site 824, there is a pool 826 with a mounted system828 such as described in detail above. The mounted system 828 is shownmounted in the recirculation system 830. The mounted system 828 includesa direct link to the internet 832 via its own circuit and broadbandconnection. A storage vessel 834 and a valve 836 are configured toautomatically add a chemical. Upon sensing an unbalanced condition inthe water of the pool 826, the mounted system 828 signals valve 836 toopen and add a predetermined amount of the chemical. In addition, themounted system 828 sends that information to the system operator 800 viathe internet 832. The system operator 800 tracks the amount of chemicaladded to the pool 826. The system operator 800 will dispatch a servicetechnician to the third customer site 824 to replenish the chemical inthe storage vessel 834 when it is determined that the vessel is empty ornear empty in response to chemical being added. Alternatively, thestorage vessel 834 can include a fill level gauge which is coupled toprovide its condition to the mounted system 828. That information canalso be communicated via the internet to the system operator 800.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of theprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made inthe embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. Specifically, it will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that the method and system of the presentinvention could be implemented in several different ways and haveseveral different appearances.

1. A floatable automatic system for monitoring chemistry information fora body of water, comprising: a. a sensor for determining chemistryinformation for the body of water; b. a control circuit coupled to thesensor for processing chemistry information; and c. a floatation housingcoupled to at least one of the sensor and the control circuit.
 2. Thefloatable automatic system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitcompares chemistry information determined by the sensor to a threshold.3. The floatable automatic system of claim 2, wherein the thresholdrepresents an acceptable minimum value of chemistry information for thebody of water.
 4. The floatable automatic system of claim 2, wherein thethreshold represents an acceptable maximum value of chemistryinformation for the body of water.
 5. The floatable automatic system ofclaim 1, wherein chemistry information monitored by the system consistsone of at least one alkalinity, pH level, temperature, calcium hardness,total hardness, dissolved solids, and a sanitizer of the body of waterand a combination of at least two thereof.
 6. The floatable automaticsystem of claim 5, wherein the sanitizer is one of chlorine or bromine.7. The floatable automatic system of claim 1, wherein the system isconfigured to monitor chemistry information for the body of watercontinually while the system is powered on.
 8. The floatable automaticsystem of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a timer coupledto at least one of the sensor, the microprocessor, and the floatationhousing.
 9. The floatable automatic system of claim 8, wherein the timeris configured to provide a time stamp to the sensor while the sensordetermines chemistry information for the body of water.
 10. Thefloatable automatic system of claim 9, wherein the time stamp andchemistry information are transmitted to the control circuit.
 11. Thefloatable automatic system of claim 1, wherein the system furthercomprises a chemistry display panel coupled to the sensor.
 12. Thefloatable automatic system of claim 11, wherein the sensor is configuredto communicate chemistry information to the chemistry display panelduring a time interval.
 13. The floatable automatic system of claim 11,wherein the chemistry display panel further comprises an indicatorconfigured to indicate a status of the body of water based on chemistryinformation processed by the control circuit.
 14. The floatableautomatic system of claim 13, wherein the indicator is one of a greenlight indicator for safe status for a the body of water, a yellow lightindicator for a cautionary status for the body of water, and a red lightindicator for an unsafe status for the body of water.
 15. The floatableautomatic system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to betethered.
 16. The floatable automatic system of claim 1, wherein thesensor is configured to communicate chemistry information to a remotelocation.
 17. The floatable automatic system of claim 16, wherein theremote location is one of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a customsign, a computer, a satellite, a wireless device, a phone, a USB port, apager, and a device configured to add chemicals to the body of water.18. The floatable automatic system of claim 16, wherein the sensor isconfigured to communicate chemistry information to the remote locationthrough at least one of a wireless connection, a cellular connection, awired connection, an optical connection, an infrared connection, and acustom radio interface connection.
 19. The floatable automatic system ofclaim 1, wherein the system further comprises an antenna coupled to thefloatation housing and configured to transmit and receive radio waves.20. The floatable automatic system of claim 1, wherein the system isfurther configured to selectively float to at least one predeterminedwater depth measured from the surface of the body of water.
 21. Thefloatable automatic system of claim 1, wherein the system furthercomprises an audible indicator configured to indicate a status of thebody of water.
 22. The floatable automatic system of claim 1, whereinthe system further comprises an actuator to relocate the system to atleast one predetermined location of the body of water.
 23. A mountableautomatic system for monitoring chemistry information for a body ofwater, comprising: a. a sensor for determining chemistry information forthe body of water; b. a control circuit coupled to the sensor forprocessing chemistry information; and c. a mountable housing coupled toat least one of the sensor and the control circuit.
 24. The mountableautomatic system of claim 23, wherein the control circuit compareschemistry information determined by the sensor to a programmablethreshold.
 25. The mountable automatic system of claim 24, wherein thethreshold represents an acceptable minimum value of chemistryinformation for the body of the water.
 26. The mountable automaticsystem of claim 24, wherein the threshold represents an acceptablemaximum value of chemistry information for the body of the water. 27.The mountable automatic system of claim 23, wherein chemistryinformation monitored by the system comprises one of at least onealkalinity, pH level, temperature, calcium hardness, total hardness,dissolved solids, and a sanitizer of the body of water and a combinationof at least two thereof.
 28. The mountable automatic system of claim 27,wherein the sanitizer is one of chlorine or bromine.
 29. The mountableautomatic system of claim 23, wherein the system is configured tomonitor chemistry information for the body of water continually whilethe system is powered on.
 30. The mountable automatic system of claim23, wherein the system further comprises a timer coupled to at least oneof the sensor, the microprocessor, and the mountable housing.
 31. Themountable automatic system of claim 30, wherein the timer is configuredto provide a time stamp to the sensor while the sensor determineschemistry information for the body of water.
 32. The mountable automaticsystem of claim 31, wherein the time stamp and chemistry information aretransmitted sent to the control circuit.
 33. The mountable automaticsystem of claim 23, wherein the system further comprises a chemistrydisplay panel coupled to the sensor.
 34. The mountable automatic systemof claim 33, wherein the sensor is configured to communicate chemistryinformation to the chemistry display panel during a programmable timeinterval.
 35. The mountable automatic system of claim 33, wherein thechemistry display panel further comprises an indicator configured toindicate a status of the body of water based on chemistry informationprocessed by the microprocessor.
 36. The mountable automatic system ofclaim 35, wherein the indicator is one of a green light indicator for asafe status for the body of water, a yellow light indicator for acautionary status for the body of water, and a red light indicator foran unsafe status for the body of water.
 37. The mountable automaticsystem of claim 23, wherein the sensor is configured to communicatechemistry information to a remote location.
 38. The mountable automaticsystem of claim 37, wherein the remote location is one of a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a custom sign, a computer, a satellite, awireless device, a phone, a USB port, a pager, and a device configuredto add chemicals to the body of water.
 39. The mountable automaticsystem of claim 37, wherein the sensor is configured to communicatechemistry information to the remote location through at least one of awireless connection, a cellular connection, a wired connection, anoptical connection, an infrared connection, and a custom radio interfaceconnection.
 40. The mountable automatic system of claim 23, wherein thesystem further comprises an antenna coupled to the mountable housing andconfigured to transmit and receive radio waves.
 41. The mountableautomatic system of claim 35, wherein the indicator is configured to beaudible.
 42. A mountable automatic system for monitoring chemistryinformation for a body of water and introducing chemicals into the bodyof water, the system comprising: a. a pump system for collecting asample of the body of water; b. a sensor coupled to the pump system fordetermining chemistry information based on the sample; c. amicroprocessor coupled to the sensor and configured for processingchemistry information, the microprocessor further comprising aninstruction that instructs the microprocessor to compare a programmablethreshold of chemistry information to chemistry information collectedfrom the sample; d. a chemical storage unit coupled to the pump systemand the microprocessor and configured to release a chemical into thebody of water upon command; e. a safety element coupled to one of themicroprocessor and the sensor, the safety element configured forindicating when the body of water is unsafe; and f. a mountable housingcoupled to at least one of the pump system, the sensor, themicroprocessor, the chemical storage unit and the safety element,wherein the microprocessor signals the safety element to alert when thebody of water is unsafe once the programmable threshold has been met.43. The mountable automatic system of claim 42, wherein based on theinstruction, the microprocessor signals the chemical storage unit torelease the chemical when the programmable threshold has been met. 44.The mountable automatic system of claim 42, wherein the programmablethreshold represents an acceptable minimum value of chemistryinformation of the body of water.
 45. The mountable automatic system ofclaim 42, wherein the programmable threshold represents an acceptablemaximum value of chemistry information of the body of water.
 46. Themountable automatic system of claim 42, wherein the chemistryinformation monitored by the system comprises one of alkalinity, pHlevel, temperature, calcium hardness, total hardness, dissolved solids,and a sanitizer of the body of water and any combination of at least twothereof.
 47. The mountable automatic system of claim 42, wherein thesystem further comprises a chemistry display panel coupled to thesensor, the chemistry display panel further comprising an indicatorconfigured to indicate a status of the body of water based on chemistryinformation of the sample processed and compared by the microprocessorto the programmable threshold.
 48. The mountable automatic system ofclaim 42, wherein the body of water is at least one of a spa, a pool, ahot tub, a bath, a fountain, a whirlpool bath, and the like.
 49. Themountable automatic system of claim 42, wherein the sensor is configuredto communicate chemistry information to a remote location.
 50. Themountable automatic system of claim 49, wherein the remote location isone of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a custom sign, a computer, asatellite, a wireless device, a phone, a USB port, a pager, and a deviceconfigured to add chemicals to the body of water.